Chemical Science. 443 
but it lost its power in 36 hours. A tailor was sitting on a 
chair near the conductor through which the lightning passed ; 
he felt no shock, but next day, on taking a case of needles 
from his pocket, he found them so strongly magnetized, that 
they hung six or seven together. Another case, containing 
five needles, was lying on a chimney-piece 20 feet from the 
conductor; they also were magnetized. There were fourteen 
or fifteen persons in the house, none of whom felt the elec- 
tricity. It may be presumed, therefore, that the whole went 
through the conductor. In the present state of electro-magnetic 
science, it is easy to understand the effect on the needles and 
neighbouring pieces of iron. The case resembles those quoted 
by Sir H. Davy, from the Phil. Trans., and is an illustration 
of the process he recommends for the formation of powerful 
magnets by lightning-rods.—Ann. de Chim. 
19. Conduction of Electricity by Amadou.—It is remarked, 
in a note at the end of the June number of the Journal de 
Physique, that the effect of a piece of amadou, in drawing off 
electricity from charged surfaces, is equal to that of a metallic 
point. For this purpose, it requires to be dry; and it may be 
observed, that at the time a number of fibres rise up and point 
towards the electrified surface. For the rapid abstraction of 
electricity, it requires, however, that besides offering points, the 
body should possess a high conducting power, which was 
not previously known to belong to this substance. 
20. Electrical Effect.—The following effect is attributed by 
Mr. Fox, who observed it, to electricity. A piece of iron py- 
rites was fastened with a piece of brass wire in a moss-house, 
the moss being damp. On the following day, the wire was 
found broken and excessively brittle, and in those parts in con- 
tact with the pyrites much corroded. On one occasion, after 
the brass wire had been fastened once or twice round a piece 
of iron pyrites, and had remained for some days enveloped in 
damp linen, the constituents of the brass wire were separated, 
and it was converted into copper wire coated with zinc.—Ann. 
Phil., iv. 447. 
21. New Process for extracting Strychnine (Strychnia), by 
M. Henry.—It consists in treating, at several times, nux vomica 
reduced to powder, with hot water in close vessels. When the 
decoctions are finished, they are mixed together, and evapo- 
rated to the consistence of a thick syrup, to which powdered 
lime is to be added in slight excess. This forms with the iga- 
suric acid an insoluble salt, which, mingled with the strychnia 
and other substances, forms a gelatinous mass. This matter 
must be treated with hot alcohol at 38° of the hydrometer, 
which dissolves the strychnia, and a little colouring matter, but 
